FDA expands use of HPV vaccine for adults aged 27-45 years

Washington, Oct 7 : The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer and other malignancies, for men and women aged 27-45 years.

The vaccine Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV types that is responsible for certain cancers and diseases. It was earlier approved for use in males and females aged 9 through 26 years.

According to the FDA, Gardasil was 88 per cent effective in the prevention of a combined endpoint of persistent infection, genital warts, vulvar and vaginal precancerous lesions, cervical precancerous lesions, and cervical cancer related to HPV types covered by the vaccine.

The "approval represents an important opportunity to help prevent HPV-related diseases and cancers in a broader age range," Peter Marks, Director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.

"The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that HPV vaccination prior to becoming infected with the HPV types covered by the vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90 per cent of these cancers, or 31,200 cases every year, from ever developing," he added.